Ipswich man, 84, wins world swimming medal after 70 years

An 84-year-old man said it felt “amazing” to achieve his dream of becoming a world swimming champion after 70 years.

Michael Read MBE, who lives in Ipswich, started swimming at the age of 14 and went on to swim the English Channel 33 times.

At the end of July and throughout part of August, he competed in several events in the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore.

He won gold in the 3km open water swim and took home silver medals in other events in the pool.

“It feels absolutely amazing, it was a 70-year dream,” Mr Read said.

“I’ve always said to myself, even if I have to keep going until I’m 100, I will be a World Masters Champion, so now I’ve ticked that off at 84.

“I’ll have to think of some more things now.”

Mr Read said during his open water race on 27 July, the water temperature had been “unbelievably hot” and “close to the maximum temperature permitted”.

He added that conditions varied, and he battled rough waters as well as currents.

While other competitors had dropped out of the race, Mr Read still had to complete the race in 90 minutes.

He came across the finish line in 87 minutes and 32 seconds.

Mr Read also brought home a silver medal in the 400m individual medley (IM) in the pool, as well as several others in the relay events.

Overall, he said it was a “great experience” and he was now looking ahead to the Swim England National Masters Championships in October in Sheffield.

Asked why he loved swimming, Mr Read said: “It’s the other way around, it is a love affair.

“I do just love it. Other people like coffee or cigarettes or doing other things, for me swimming is the ultimate.

“It keeps you fit, it enables you to go to lovely places as I’ve been to, I make friends, I see the world, I’ve just got so much to be thankful for.”